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Criticism of the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Is Overblown

(Foreign Policy Research Institute) Dr. Christopher J. Bolan - Criticism of the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Syria as handing both Russia and Iran a significant "victory" is overblown. Russia and Iran were positioned from the beginning to be the dominant influencers in the course of Syria's civil war. Moreover, what passes for a short-term win for Moscow and Tehran will likely prove to be a rather hollow victory. First, Russia and Iran have vital interests at stake in Syria, whereas U.S. interests have always been limited. Moscow and Tehran were never going to abandon Syria, which has been their ally for decades. Moreover, in the battle for influence in Syria, Moscow and Tehran were supporting an existing internationally-recognized government possessing a large array of domestic security and military forces. In contrast, the U.S. supported a fractured and divided political opposition which, aside from Syrian Kurdish militias, proved to be anemic and ineffective. Syria will remain a broken, divided, and weak country for decades to come. The civil war displaced nearly half of Syria's 22 million people, destroyed much of its infrastructure, and hardened the political, religious, and social divisions within Syrian society. With Russia and Iran both suffering under the heavy burden of U.S. sanctions, neither country can afford to make the substantial investment needed for reconstruction. For the foreseeable future, a needy Syria will remain a drain on Russian and Iranian coffers. The writer is Professor of Middle East Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.
2018-12-27 00:00:00
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